The 25 Best Mac And Cheese Recipes You Need To Know About

If you're looking for the best mac and cheese recipes for satisfying, cheesy goodness, then you've come to the right place. There are a lot of reasons to love the dish, and not just because (surprise!) cheese is one the most addictive foods out there, according to science. If you ask us why so many people love mac and cheese, however, one of the reasons that stands out the most is that there are so many different ways to make it. 

No matter how you like your mac and cheese, forget about those boxed versions made with packets of neon-orange powder and sauce; it's time to eat the real thing. Whether you want this classic comfort food baked, made easy with a one-pot method, or using your Instant Pot, we've got you covered with this collection of Mashed mac and cheese recipes. Want it to mimic fast food favorites? We have copycat recipes for Panera, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Chick-Fil-A. Heck, we've even got recipes for mac and cheese sandwiches, tacos ... and a surprising mac and cheese dessert.  

The possibilities of flavor combinations with different cheeses, different noodles, and add-ins are almost endless. Choose your own cheesy adventure below.

The Barefoot Contessa has a particularly decadent take on a classic, cheesy pasta dish. Ina Garten makes her creamy mac and cheese sauce with a blend of cheddar and Gruyère cheese, and adds sliced tomatoes to the top before baking. Our twist on her recipe adds even more flavor with roasted garlic, fresh basil, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Make this big pan of mac and cheese for your family or, like Ina does, for guests at dinner parties.

Recipe: Ina Garten's Mac And Cheese

Here's another one-pot mac and cheese recipe that's a little healthier. Spinach mixed into the sauce gives your pasta a more robust flavor; it's an easy way to sneak some extra greens into a meal. There's still a hefty amount of cheese thrown in, a blend of Swiss or cheddar cheese with feta crumbles. The recipe makes four servings and can be served with a sprinkle of chopped herbs or a bit of lemon zest.

Recipe: Spinach And Feta Mac And Cheese

If you're one of those people who isn't afraid to admit that you still like Panera's mac and cheese, even after that TikTok video revealed how it's made, we're not judging. The reason it's still on Panera's menu is that lots of people like it. That's why you should try our copycat recipe: It has that same creamy sauce made with cheddar and seasonings. Plus, it takes only 30 minutes and you'll have enough mac and cheese for four people.

Recipe: Copycat Panera Mac And Cheese

This ingenious creation — a mac and cheese taco made with a woven bacon shell — ensures you'll get a taste of salty, crispy bacon with every bite. If it's your first time weaving bacon, don't be intimidated: It's easy once you get the hang of it. The beauty of this recipe is that this beer mac and cheese — yes, you read that right — is made in a slow cooker, leaving you more time to perfect your bacon-weaving abilities.

Recipe: Bacon Weave Taco With Mac And Cheese Filling

"Binging With Babish" host Andrew Rea has a video on YouTube about how to make the ultimate mac and cheese: creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor. We've added a tantalizing twist to Rea's recipe: porcini mushrooms and grated Gruyère cheese. It includes the clever step of using the umami-packed water left over from rehydrating the mushrooms to create the sauce for this 30-minute stovetop mac and cheese. One taste and you'll immediately chuck all your boxed mac and cheese in the trash.

Recipe: Binging With Babish's Mac And Cheese

Chef Jernard Wells, host of CleoTV's "New Soul Kitchen," shared this recipe exclusively with Mashed, and it's a tantalizing take on regular mac and cheese. Bowtie pasta is tossed with a rich, cheddar cheese sauce imbued with nutmeg and paprika. What sets the dish apart is lobster meat that's first cooked in butter and then folded into the cheesy pasta. 

Recipe: Chef Jernard Wells' New Soul Kitchen Lobster Mac & Cheese

This recipe is great for college kids in dorms or when you're staying at hotels and Airbnbs with only a microwave for cooking. A single serving of mac and cheese is also nice when you want a snack at home or at the office, but don't want to cook up a large batch of food. Cornstarch helps the sauce of milk and grated cheese come together with a smooth texture, and best of all, it only takes 10 minutes. 

Recipe: Mac And Cheese In A Mug

Rachael Ray's delish macaroni and cheese is made in the classic way: Start with a flour and butter roux as the base for a creamy sauce that's loaded with cheddar cheese and a pinch of nutmeg. A little cayenne pepper adds warmth, color, and a just a hint of spiciness to the noodles. Adding in a handful of healthy kale is our twist on her recipe, one that adds both color and flavor. 

Recipe: Rachel Ray's Macaroni And Cheese

Trader Joe's diner-style mac and cheese is sold as a single-serving, frozen brick — and who knows how long ago it was actually prepared before being shipped to the store. Our copycat recipe makes it possible to capture the flavor of that creamy sauce in a fresh, homemade version, plus it makes enough to feed six people. Use elbows or other twisty noodles that will hold on to the cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, and gouda cheese sauce. 

Recipe: Copycat Trader Joe's Mac And Cheese

Mac and cheese made from scratch in an air fryer — this recipe is a revelation! Just find a Pyrex or other oven-proof baking dish that will fit inside your air fryer. From there, it's just a matter of stirring together dry pasta, cream, stock, and two kinds of cheese. After about 25 minutes your creamy and tender mac and cheese is ready. If your air fryer isn't large enough to hold all the ingredients at once, you can halve the recipe or cook it in batches. 

Recipe: Air Fryer Mac And Cheese

When made on the stove, the pasta and the sauce for mac and cheese are usually cooked in separate pans. However, when made in an Instant Pot, everything is cooked together: That means fewer dishes to wash and a really short cook time. Our recipe includes three kinds of cheese, including cream cheese, which helps make a smooth, velvety sauce. Add a side of steamed vegetables or warm garlic bread to complete the feast. 

Recipe: Instant Pot Mac And Cheese

Of all the possible ingredients to mix into your mac and cheese, kimchi is one of the more flavorful and exciting options. The fermented vegetables add tang, texture, and saltiness to the classic comfort food. Depending on the type of kimchi, it also adds a spicy kick, although the creamy cheese sauce will temper that heat and keep it from overwhelming the dish. The recipe uses a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and makes enough to serve six people. 

Recipe: Kimchi Mac And Cheese